Perceived Parental Practices and Mental Health Problems of University Students in the Cultural Context of Pakistan

Abstract

The current study aimed to explore the relationship of perceived parental practices with mental health problems in university students. For this purpose, a sample of 480 university students in the age range of 17-26 years (M=20.51; SD=1.48) was selected using stratified random sampling technique. The perceived parental practices and mental health problems were assessed through Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran-Adolescent Version (Castro et al., 1990) and Student Problems Checklist (Mahmood & Saleem, 2011) respectively. Results of the study revealed a significant negative relationship between the perceived fathers’ emotional warmth and mental health problems whereas a positive relationship between the perceived fathers’ rejection and mental health problems. Nevertheless, there was an insignificant association between fathers’ over-protection and mental health problems in the participants. On the other hand, the perceived mothers’ emotional warmth was negatively associated with mental health problems while the perceived mothers’ rejection and over-protection were positively correlated with mental health problems in the participants. Furthermore, regression analysis revealed that the participants with a higher level of perceived fathers’ emotional warmth had less proneness to have mental health problems. Suggestions and implications are discussed based on the current findings.